Bruno Fernandes has suggested beating Liverpool to a Champions League place made yesterday evening all the more enjoyable for Manchester United fans.
A 4-1 home victory over Chelsea on Thursday night ensured Erik ten Hag's side will be returning to Europe's elite competition next season, an achievement that has arrived at the expense of Liverpool.
The Reds required United to lose their final two Premier League fixtures to stand a chance of a top-four finish, though this dream was ended in comprehensive fashion after a dominant United display.
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Next year will represent the first campaign since 2015/16 that has seen the Red Devils partaking in the Champions League and Liverpool not involved, though Jurgen Klopp's side can have few complaints regarding their Europa League status after a series of below-par performances.
Aware what the contrasting fortunes of the two teams means to supporters, Fernandes wasted little time to namecheck the Reds when speaking after last night's triumph at Old Trafford. "We know it means a lot for us. It's about getting our goals completed, and we did," he told Sky Sports. "We know that they [the United fans] will be happy also for Liverpool to not be there. For us, it's not about that. It's getting the best we can for ourselves because we have to look at ourselves."
United claimed the Carabao Cup earlier this year and have the opportunity to match Liverpool's domestic double of last year should they get the better of Manchester City in next weekend's FA Cup final.
"For what we did this season, it’s great," said the Portuguese midfielder. "One trophy and we get the top four, that was our goal after deciding we couldn’t go for the Premier League. Now it’s about finishing really well and going to the FA Cup and winning," added Fernandes.
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